We are probably waiting for instructions from Hicks and Gillette and for them to return the spade they stole .

I'm thinking the mythical ''spade in the ground'' is of the Excalibur variety, only an individual of honour and integrity can free it and put it to the use designated -....there it remains defying all attempts by apparent imposters.

What worries me more than anything though is the amount of money a match ticket will go up by once this 'redevelopment' actually happens because I can't honestly see FSG/NESV paying for this out of there own pocket.

The only people this will help at the end of it all won't be more fans coming through the gate but the bank balance of the owners because they know fans will pay whatever it costs to watch a game!

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'I'm just one of the people who stands on the Kop. They think the same as I do, and I think the same as they do. It's a kind of marriage of people who like each other.' - Bill Shankly

What worries me more than anything though is the amount of money a match ticket will go up by once this 'redevelopment' actually happens because I can't honestly see FSG/NESV paying for this out of there own pocket.

The only people this will help at the end of it all won't be more fans coming through the gate but the bank balance of the owners because they know fans will pay whatever it costs to watch a game!

Some of the seating will end up being executive seating, especially if the main stand ends up getting redone, we've already brought in tiered pricing, so I imagine it will run along those lines.

Liverpool Football Club Supporters' CommitteeSecond Meeting season 2012/1310th February 201313:00 – 15:00

Update from the Committee

Karen Gill (KG) confirmed that the Committee held its elections earlier in the day andthat her turn as chair had come to an end and that Bob Humphries (BH) would serveas the new Chair and that Jeanette Dodd(JD) would serve as the vice-chair. She wishedthem luck in their term of office and confirmed that she would remain involved, havingbeen elected as the Honorary President of the LFC Supporters’ Committee.

Abu Nasir (AN) confirmed that the first year of existence for the Committee was alearning process. Accordingly, the Committee had agreed to update the constitutionto better reflect the role and purpose of the committee. The Committee has produceddocuments highlighting the changes they are proposing to make to the set up of thecommittee and have provided the club with a copy for their approval. It is hopedthat the club will read the document and agree to its contents in advance of the nextmeeting. Ian Ayre (IA) stated that providing the contents of the new document andits supporting policies did not adversely affect the club, and then the club would notobject to its adoption or implementation. He confirmed that such decisions on rotation ofmembers, frequency of meetings etc. were matters for the Committee itself and the fansthey represent.

Update on the actions from previous meetings

The first five meetings between the club and Committee had resulted in many changesand improvements being implemented to enhance the service delivered to the fans. Thefollowing lists highlight some of the changes that have taken place in five key areas.

Membership and the Official LFC Supporters' Club: led by Scott Richardson (SC),head of customer relationship management (CRM).

The official website has been updated with clearer FAQs on membership and theprocess has been clarified.An annual survey has also been introduced to help determine the overall satisfactionwith the current process and identify other opportunities. Results so far have ledto the introduction of a “light” membership package in season 2011-12. Furtherresearch was carried out assessing the option of a membership product for under-16s and this is now also available.Resource has been recruited to support the supporters’ club activities. A supporters’club survey was developed to allow for further feedback on the supporters’ clubprocess. The supporters’ club waiting lists were contacted with the aim of expandingthe network in a controlled manner.The club will continue to consult with the Committee on branch matters and publish aprocess map explaining different stages of the application process.

Ticketing and Travelling Supporters: led by Phil Dutton (PD), head of ticketing andhospitality.

The club will continue to raise the pricing structure for away fans at the PremierLeague meetings and will keep the Committee updated.In season 2012-13 both season ticket holders and members had the opportunity tosign up to the auto cup scheme prior to the fixtures being announced.

On behalf of the fans, the Committee also asked for the possibility of separate ticketpricing for supporters aged 16-21. The club investigated the matter and advised that this has not proved viable; however the club will reconsider in light of any redevelopment of Anfield.

• Ticketing price freeze was agreed for season 2012-13.• A 'how to purchase ticket guide' has been made available online to clearly define theprocess of ticket purchasing. The club will also consider the other methods i.e. onlineetc.• We will continue to provide feedback on the implementation of an easier system forinternational fans during bulk sale.• Thomas Cook is keen to meet with Les Wright (LW) and the club to listen to thesupporters’ concerns. A date will be finalised shortly.• Ticketing Strategy are continuing to look at extending loan facilities and buy backs aswell as reviewing pricing models. They will also continue discussions with the PremierLeague regarding increasing pricing to Cat A games and tiered pricing for leaguegames. PD will continue to liaise with BH on regular basis.• With regard to communication for travelling supporters, improvements have beenmade to the information sheet given to travelling fans giving clarity of dos and don'tswhilst away. A Merseyside police / travel Twitter account has been created andupdates will be made on regular basis to keep fans informed.• IA added that during his most recent attendance at the Premier LeagueShareholders’ Meeting, the issue of away tickets was raised. The PL has conducted asurvey, which will be shared with clubs and actions will be identified to address thematter of pricing. The meeting confirmed that LFC has the highest number of awaysupporters of any other team in PL. IA has spoken with the other clubs who are well-represented at away fixtures to determine if, together, any additional pressure canapplied to reduce the prices of away tickets.• We are organising several hospitality focus group with the help of LaurenceWhitehead towards the end of the season.

Families: led by Andrew Parkinson (AP), operations director

In line with the club’s commitment to enhance its offerings for families, a dedicatedsale day has now been introduced for adult and child tickets to be purchased. Theclub will continue to look at new initiatives to put in place for families to enhancetheir match day experience.Mighty Red became the first official LFC Mascot with the aim of enhancing the juniorfan engagement and enhancing the overall experience.LFC opened a Family Park in Anfield Road, which invites home and away families toenjoy fun filled activities pre-match.An allocation of 600 seats has been provided in the Family Zone, which is in theadult/child section. Welcoming and inviting visuals have been created for on theconcourse and interactive activities are organised for the area on a match-by-matchbasis.IA suggested that if time permits in advance of the next meeting, the club shouldintroduce the committee to the Family Zone so they can witness first hand theimprovements that have been introduced.

Disability, access, parking and the over 65s: led by Rishi Jain (RJ), social inclusionofficer and Andrew Parkinson (AP), operations director

The Club has now allocated a limited amount of spaces in the Anfield Road car parkfor season ticket holders and members who are over 65.A drop off zone for blue badge holders is now available in Tinsley Street.A further disability/access audit was completed in 2012. This has now been fed backto JD, BH and LW representing the Committee. The club has also met with the LDSAto run through the audit.

Further staff members have been trained to handle disability queries. FAQs havebeen updated and this would allow for a satisfactory service to our disabled fansparticularly on a dedicated sales day.• Gilmoss Park & Ride service is now in place in addition to the Soccer Bus.• The club has reviewed the role and profile of the DLO in LFC and is confident that itmeets the necessary requirements.• Changing Places facilities were considered for the Paddock, however furtherassessment has revealed access issues and this will no longer be possible. The clubwill look at the possibilities of incorporate this as part of the proposed redevelopmentof Anfield.• The club has put provisions in place to make bicycle racks available to those fanswho wish to cycle to the stadium. On non-match days, bicycle racks have beenplaced in the Centenary Stand car park and on match days the location is in the FoodVillage in Anfield Road.

Communication, LFC Foundation and LGBT: led by Susan Black (SB), head ofinternal communications

A document has been produced for the Committee showing the good work the club isdoing around inequality on a match day as well as the work done by the Foundation.The Foundation has been working hard to streamline its offering to the communitywith a new focus on Men’s Health, Football 4 All, Youth Skills and On The Ball.A celebration event is planned for the spring of summer of 2013 to coincide with thelaunch of a dedicated website. Fundraising events are also planned for 2013.The club hosted a gay football supporters' network league match between MerseyMarauders and Wolvs Harts on the 9th February 2013 at the LFC Academy. This wasset up through conversations with Paul Amann and members of Mersey Maraudersand was part of the club’s activities for the Football v Homophobia campaign. Thishas been the second year that the club supported such initiatives.All Premier League clubs signed up for the Charter for Action on 2 February 2012.The club met with PA regarding the review of documents for signing up to the city'sAnti-Homophobic bullying strategy. The club will continue to look at the strategy andsee if it applies to the areas which engage with young people. The club will continueto liaise with PA.The club has been in contact with both members of the Committee regarding the SLOrole and the PL and AP will deliver the club response back to JD, BH and LW and laterthis month.The club has raised the matter of protective characteristic with the FA. RJ has metwith PA and whilst PA is disappointed with the FA, he is satisfied with the club’shandle on matters.The club is still in the process of formulating an internal plan for Reds Going Greenand will ensure progress is communicated. Recycling bins have been ordered and arepresent at the moment in certain areas of the ground including the Family Zone.

The Committee made changes to the format of their meetings with the club and deviatedfrom questions and answers session, to focusing on the common themes which theirconstituency raises with them. One of which was the redevelopment of Anfield and theother was ticketing. To ensure better communication between the club, the SC and thefan was enhanced, the club committed to the following:

To ‘lock down’ the dates at the beginning of the season and only change ascheduled meeting with agreement of the Committee.The right points of contact within the club will be identified for members of theCommittee to liaise with directly.Club and Committee to work together and establish a programme to raise thevisibility of the Committee, both its members and its work.Minutes from the official meeting with the club will be available online withinseven days.

1st Topic Raised:Redevelopment of Anfield

JD explained that it was the Committee’s desire to ensure that the best facilities andamenities are incorporated into a redeveloped Anfield for the benefit of all supportersof Liverpool Football Club and visiting teams. The Committee would like to see evidenceof where input from supporters will take place as supporters, through suggestionssubmitted through the Committee, are already engaging in the process. The Committeewould like to be familiar with the process of how good ideas are to be submitted to theclub for consideration.

IA, stated that the proposed redevelopment of Anfield involved extending two of theexisting stands in order in increase capacity to 60,000. Without certainty, from theacquisition of properties and the granting of planning permission, the club would not bein a position to proceed. The acquisition process affects approximately 100 properties;all owned the club, the City Council, housing associations or private individuals. Thisfirst-stage process is going well, with good on-going dialogue taking place with all keystakeholders.

Notwithstanding the lack of certainty, the club has already commissioned a design studyto determine such things as the market appetite for pricing and hospitality, etc. and areport is expected by the end of April. The next stage will be design and consultationand it is at this point that the club will engage with representatives of interest groups,including those representing fans. The following stages will be planning, application,tender and construction.

Questions identified during the meeting:

1. How do we ensure that we build a fully accessible stadium?2. How do we ensure the most efficient dissemination of information to stakeholders,including fans and the Committee, is achieved as the club progresses through eachphase of the redevelopment?3. How do we incorporate the best experience for fans, irrespective of whether they areseated in the Family Zone or enjoying corporate hospitality?4. Will the Club commit to a dedicated meeting with the Committee, at the appropriatetime, to discuss the redevelopment of Anfield?5. Will the club determine the capacity of the stadium, irrespective of what comesout from the feasibility study, and will the design be flexible enough so it can beexpanded as needed?6. Can we have an international section for visiting fans from overseas, similar to thefamily section?

Ideas identified during the meeting:

1. Provide regular updates to the fans, perhaps via the Committee, irrespective ofwhether there is any real news or change to communicate.2. We should double/treble adult/child tickets.3. Share outline design of the floor plans for the new stands when known so input canbe invited as to what facilities and amenities should be included.4. Ensure that the new stands are expandable as demand increases in the future years.5. Instead of the traditional approach of having blank walls around the stadium, let’shave some glazing so fans can see in and out.6. Hospitality and meeting rooms within the new stands should be more dynamic intheir design so it doesn’t feel like you’re sitting in a basement.7. Have a clear mechanism in place from the outset to channel supporters’ input beforemajor decisions are made - such as an open day to view the new designs.8. Flexible or amenity seating should be included in the new stands to facilitate otheruses of the stadium and accommodate an aging fan base.

Additional ideas submitted after the meeting:

1. Provide a choice of elevated disabled fans seating positions – both Derby County andEverton have added these to existing stadia.2. Provide flexible disabled seating - MK Dons has installed removable/adaptableseating throughout its stadium.3. Drop-off zones for older and disabled people, ideally not more than 30m from anaccessible stadium entrance. Signs should be installed to identify the drop-off zoneand it should be monitored to prevent its misuse as a parking space.4. Level, well-lit accessible parking areas designated for older and disabled people.5. Providing several protected shelters with seating facilities for respite on main accessroutes to the stadium, e.g. between the parking area and the accessible entrance.

The above questions and ideas raised will be taken away by the club and as IA stated,once the club is in the position to engage further it will do so with representatives ofinterest groups, including those representing fans.

2nd Topic raised:Ticket Pricing

Samantha Armstrong (SA) reminded those present that subject of ticket pricing hit theheadlines recently on account of the Arsenal v Manchester City game when travellingfans refused to pay £62 for an away ticket. The Football Supporters’ Federation havelaunched a campaign to address ticket pricing, which continues to be an emotive subjectfor all serious football fans, whether they are travelling away fans, senior citizens orfamily groups.

IA said the topic of ticket pricing is worthy of an entire meeting. There are manydifferent facets to the subject, some the club are involved in and some not necessarilyin control of. At the moment, clubs can only charge away fans the equivalent of thehighest ticket price as paid by home fans in the same section. There is a suggestion thataway fans should be charged the cheapest price enjoyed by home fans. LFC continues toimprove its ticketing policy and the club will keep the Committee informed as and whennew changes are announced.

With less than 10 minutes remaining of the allotted two hours, it was agreed to makethis the topic of ticket pricing the primary topic for discussion at the next meeting.

The following actions were agreed:

1. The Committee will detail specific areas of concern or ideas in advance of themeeting so the club prepare accordingly.2. The club will consider inviting a representative of the Premier League to attend thenext meeting to provide an update on the governing body’s view on the matter.

Next steps

In advance of the next meeting, the club agreed to

1. Read and comment upon the revised ‘policy document’ as amended by theCommittee;2. Answer the questions raised and consider the ideas suggested during discussionpoint #1 on the redevelopment of Anfield;3. Implement the actions agreed on the area of communication between the club andCommittee; and4. Upon receipt of some specific areas of concern about ticket pricing being receivedfrom the Committee, invite a representative from the Premier League to attend thenext meeting.

Next meeting

It is likely that the next meeting will take place in April, on a date yet to be agreed.It was agreed that three discussion points at each meeting is too optimistic, so it isproposed that the Committee identify one primary topic and one secondary topic foreach meeting going forward, with ticket pricing the likely primary topic for the nextmeeting. If the discussion on the primary topic can be concluded within the time frame,the secondary topic can be addressed during the same meeting.

Notwithstanding the lack of certainty, the club The Clubhas already commissioned a design studyto determine such things as the market appetite for pricing and hospitality, etc. and areport is expected by the end of April. The next stage will be design and consultationand it is at this point that the club will engage with representatives of interest groups,including those representing fans. The following stages will be planning, application,tender and construction.

It is likely that the next meeting will take place in April, on a date yet to be agreed.It was agreed that three discussion points at each meeting is too optimistic, so it isproposed that the Committee identify one primary topic and one secondary topic foreach meeting going forward, with ticket pricing the likely primary topic for the nextmeeting. If the discussion on the primary topic can be concluded within the time frame,the secondary topic can be addressed during the same meeting.[/size]

Seems to be moving along very very slowly, I know there's been a lot said but is there any action happening as of yet?

I was the fans would be a lot more in the loop, hopefully there is some substantial progress made in the summer.

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Well judging by today's financial report we'll be lucky if anything happens within the next 6-12 months on this. Dread to think how much debt the club is likely to face if we don't reach 4th this season and getting certain players off the wage bill.

It shows that we cannot improve the squad let alone the stadium redevelopment come the summer unless we are able to sell players otherwise FSG would be putting more available money into the transfer kitty which it seems they haven't got!

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'I'm just one of the people who stands on the Kop. They think the same as I do, and I think the same as they do. It's a kind of marriage of people who like each other.' - Bill Shankly

Well judging by today's financial report we'll be lucky if anything happens within the next 6-12 months on this. Dread to think how much debt the club is likely to face if we don't reach 4th this season and getting certain players off the wage bill.

It shows that we cannot improve the squad let alone the stadium redevelopment come the summer unless we are able to sell players otherwise FSG would be putting more available money into the transfer kitty which it seems they haven't got!

You do realize the numbers released don't include any of the sponsorship deals signed by FSG (Garuda, Warrior, Chevrolet)? Also don't include wage trimming done this year if I am correct.

Heard this morning that they are going to curve the Main Stand/Anny Road end. Best solution for building would be to do them both stands at the same time, as it would involve removing all the dug out/areas under the Main Stand where the board members and players etc are. That was suggestion from architects.

Can't see LFC entertaining that idea - I'm not sure on ST numbers but I'm sure it is bigger than can fit in the Kop and Centenary.

Heard this morning that they are going to curve the Main Stand/Anny Road end. Best solution for building would be to do them both stands at the same time, as it would involve removing all the dug out/areas under the Main Stand where the board members and players etc are. That was suggestion from architects.

Can't see LFC entertaining that idea - I'm not sure on ST numbers but I'm sure it is bigger than can fit in the Kop and Centenary.

Did any of ye get an email from the club asking to fill in a survey on how to improve the anfield experience?It looks like they're pushing for more hospitality packages and banging up the prices for them .

Did any of ye get an email from the club asking to fill in a survey on how to improve the anfield experience?It looks like they're pushing for more hospitality packages and banging up the prices for them .

Yes. Ignored it completely.

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They say our days are numbered, we're not famous anymore, but Scousers rule the country like we've always done before...

Spent the afternoon trawling the web for any information - and alas, nothing... I know this is the Lazarus of boards, but there has to become a point where NESV actually do something or issue a statement confirming they wont.

Spent the afternoon trawling the web for any information - and alas, nothing... I know this is the Lazarus of boards, but there has to become a point where NESV actually do something or issue a statement confirming they wont.

SI.com: One thing they did with Fenway Park, instead of building a new stadium, they did a lot of smart things around the stadium while refurbishing the stadium itself to increase revenue streams. That seems to be the approach Liverpool decided to take with Anfield. Where are you right now with that plan?

Ayre: We've always said the preference was to stay at Anfield. It's the heart of the football club. I remember the first time John and Tom came to look at Liverpool before they bought it. I was the person showing them around. When we went into Anfield, John said to me, "This is like Fenway. It's the same feeling. Why would we want to build a new stadium?"

In order to extend Anfield, we need to acquire a bunch of privately owned property around the stadium. We're making really good progress with that. We have a meeting coming up in the next few weeks with the city council and ourselves and stakeholders. We said some months back it would take several months to improve that property acquisition situation. We're definitely on target so far. The No. 1 priority is to stay at Anfield, but there are two or three hoops to go through. The first is property acquisition. The second will be planning. And the third will be to build the thing. I would guess our next announcement on it will come sometime in May or June.

SI.com: One thing they did with Fenway Park, instead of building a new stadium, they did a lot of smart things around the stadium while refurbishing the stadium itself to increase revenue streams. That seems to be the approach Liverpool decided to take with Anfield. Where are you right now with that plan?

Ayre: We've always said the preference was to stay at Anfield. It's the heart of the football club. I remember the first time John and Tom came to look at Liverpool before they bought it. I was the person showing them around. When we went into Anfield, John said to me, "This is like Fenway. It's the same feeling. Why would we want to build a new stadium?"

In order to extend Anfield, we need to acquire a bunch of privately owned property around the stadium. We're making really good progress with that. We have a meeting coming up in the next few weeks with the city council and ourselves and stakeholders. We said some months back it would take several months to improve that property acquisition situation. We're definitely on target so far. The No. 1 priority is to stay at Anfield, but there are two or three hoops to go through. The first is property acquisition. The second will be planning. And the third will be to build the thing. I would guess our next announcement on it will come sometime in May or June.